Spring 2021 travel guidelines

February 15, 2021

See also: Spring event guidelines | Spring visitor guidelines

Updated Feb. 15, 2021

The following travel restrictions, currently in effect, remain in place for all Purdue (WL) faculty, staff, and students who are traveling for work or in connection with a course or student activity, including Purdue Extension and Polytechnic Statewide. These policies for the spring semester are in place until further notice, but will be reviewed regularly.

International Travel

  1. International travel for critical research that meets the criteria below may be approved. No other university-sponsored international travel, regardless of funding source, is allowed.
  2. For externally funded research only, critical international travel for faculty and staff may be approved only for the purposes of completing externally funded research that requires in-country work or access to specialized facilities that are not available in the USA to meet the goals and deliverables of the funded project. Where travel is unallowable on sponsored funds or grant funds have been fully exhausted, other funding sources may be considered for approval.
  3. All travelers returning from international travel must self-quarantine for 7 days upon return and prior to physical presence on any Purdue campus. Additionally, travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus, with such testing recommended around days 3-5 after return from travel in the absence of earlier COVID-19-related symptoms. Travelers must complete the full 7-day quarantine.
  4. To request approval for international travel, faculty and staff must prepare a document that justifies: (1) the travel is essential to the completion of a grant deliverable; (2) the traveler(s) can be absent from campus for the duration of any travel/quarantine period without prejudicing other work responsibilities; (3) the travel is otherwise permitted by law/guidance from both the country of origin and the country of destination; and (4) fiscal approval at the grant level supports the travel. Submit these requests to your Dean.  No international travel is permitted without prior approval.
  5. For Purdue employees based internationally, travel (whether in-country or international) to conduct research may be possible if: (1) allowed by in-country travel guidance, and (2) approved by the PI of the award.

Domestic Travel

  1. Travel within the State of Indiana is allowed. Travel must be conducted in full compliance with public health safety guidelines issued by the State of Indiana and vehicular travel guidelines below (#7).
  2. All domestic travel outside of Indiana, regardless of funding source (university-sponsored or externally-funded), may be approved for the purpose of completing essential work and should only occur if the travel can be conducted in full compliance with public health guidance issued by both the State of Indiana and the destination state at the time of travel. It is the responsibility of both the traveler and the approving department to ensure the travel is fully compliant.
    1. To request approval for domestic travel outside of Indiana, faculty and staff must prepare a document that justifies: (1) the travel is essential; (2) the traveler(s) can be absent from campus for the duration of any travel and potential quarantine period without prejudicing other work responsibilities; (3) the travel can be conducted in full compliance with public health guidance issued by both the State of Indiana and the destination state at the time of travel; and (4) fiscal approval at the grant or other funding source level supports the travel. Submit these requests to your Dean. No domestic travel outside of Indiana is permitted without prior approval.
    2. All travelers returning from domestic travel outside of Indiana should consider whether or not to self-quarantine for 10 days upon return and prior to physical presence on any Purdue campus, given the current prevalence of the virus at points of travel.  Additionally, travelers should consider being tested for COVID‑19 upon return and having a negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus.
  3. Domestic air travel is permitted when such travel is necessary (e.g., when required for the conduct of research or engagement activities, attending a conference, etc.). Air travel must follow the guidance of any airline and airport used in connection with the travel. Travelers should maintain social distance in the airports and correctly wear a face mask. The CDC provides additional consideration for safe travel here.
  4. Vehicular travel must be done in a manner that minimizes the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. The following guidelines must be followed:
    1. Everyone in the vehicle must correctly wear a face mask for the duration of the trip.
    2. Occupancy in the vehicle cannot exceed 50% total ridership based on the number of seats in a vehicle:
      1. Passenger vehicle (including compact cars, SUVs, etc.) – i.e., if 5 seats, occupancy cannot exceed 2 people.
      2. Passenger van and high-capacity trucks – i.e., if 10 seats, occupancy cannot exceed 5 people.
      3. Shuttle bus – i.e., if 16 seats, occupancy cannot exceed 8 people.
    3. Occupants in the vehicle should maintain 6 feet of separation in the vehicle, if possible. This may be accomplished by facing the same direction, sitting in alternating rows in a vehicle, or by maintaining a zig-zag pattern of seat spacing.
    4. Hand sanitizer, wipes and tissues must be available in the vehicle for each trip. A container in which to dispose of the wipes and tissues is also recommended.
    5. Circulate air within the vehicle at all times, as possible given weather conditions. Open or partially open windows and use outside air for air conditioning.
    6. Whenever possible, seek to minimize stops while traveling.

Student Travel

  1. Student international travel, regardless of funding source or country, including but not limited to study abroad and student organization sponsored trips, is suspended through July 31, 2021.
  2. There will be no student organization travel off of campus per the Office of Student Activity and Organizations policy for Spring 2021.
  3. There will be no course-based or other student academic-related out-of-state travel for Spring 2021.
  4. Course-based or other student academic-related travel within Indiana must: (1) be approved by the Department Head, and (2) follow the vehicular travel guidelines described in item #7 above.

Fiscal Approval

  1. All travel, international and domestic, is subject to fiscal approval.
    1. Externally-funded travel will follow the approval process in place for the funding source (e.g., grant from which the funds are drawn to pay for the travel).
    2. All university-sponsored travel expenditures must be reviewed to ensure consistency with the approved FY21 budget.
    3. All faculty and staff must follow the university’s guidelines for booking and paying for travel expenses. The Business Office will not reimburse out-of-state travel entered in Concur without an approved travel waiver.

Personal Travel

  1. The university recommends against personal international travel due to the Department of State advisories and CDC guidance and strongly urges the entire campus community to exercise all due care for personal domestic travel.

NOTE: All Intercollegiate Athletics travel will follow NCAA and conference rules and guidelines.